Spouse, Partner or Dependent Children Sponsorship

Permanent Residents and Citizens of Canada can sponsor their spouse, partners and dependent children to become Permanent Residents of Canada under the Family Class(FC) immigration program. Canada strongly supports bringing families together, and Family Sponsorship Canada allows your relatives to reside in Canada to work, study and live together once they fulfill all the requirements.

1. Spouse, Common-Law Partner or Conjugal Partner – Spousal Sponsorship Canada

2. Dependent Child – Child Sponsorship Canada

Types of eligible partners covered under this program are:

Spouse Immigration Canada

• Can be of either sex,
• Must be legally married to you and
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Common-Law Sponsorship Canada:

• Isn’t legally married to you
• Can be of either sex
• Should be at least 18 years’ old
• Has been staying/living with you for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, without any long periods apart (The time spent away should be either Short or Temporary)

Conjugal Partner

• Isn’t in a common-law relationship or legally married to you
• Lives outside of Canada
• Should be at least 18 years’ old
• Can be of either sex
• Should be in a relationship with you for a minimum of one year
• Can’t marry or live with you in their country of residence because of substantial legal and immigration reasons (Proof Needed)

The qualifications for a “Dependent Child” are as follows:

• Should be below 22 Years of Age
• Isn’t married or in a common-law relationship
• If the child is above 22 Years old, then:
  • Isn’t able to support himself/herself financially because of a physical or mental condition
  • Has been dependent on parents for financial support before the age of 22

Both you and your partners/spouse’s child can be sponsored if they meet the criteria of a “Dependent Child” under the “Child Sponsorship Canada” Family Class Program

Spouse/Partner Sponsorship

The I-130 (Family sponsorship visa) filed by an immediate family member usually takes 14-19 months to process. The process features a first-come, first-served rule.

Dependent Sponsorship

Processing time usually varies and depends upon the child’s country of origin or residence. However, generally, it takes up to 12 months for processing, or in some cases, even longer.